Derby Fire Chief Brad Smith has proposed moving up the timetable for replacing one of the city’s fire trucks by a year. Engine 82 was set for replacement in 2020, and Smith said he would like to see that done next year.
Smith made the proposal in his report in the 2019 city budget, which is now in the process of being examined by the public and City Council members.
Engine 82 was purchased in 2001 and for four years was used by the city’s volunteer fire department. Since 2005, it has responded to all types of fires, emergency medical calls and vehicle accidents, he said, but it’s now reaching the end of its life as a main resource.
“Historically, 19 years is the limit on front line dependability for an engine,” he said.
While the engine may look fine to the casual observer, appearances don’t always provide the total picture, he said.
“It does looks new, but then our goal is to keep them up,” he said. “We don’t let them get beat up.”
(Read more: DerbyInformer.com – news,news/)